SMITH, James
| Service Number: | 2260 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 March 1916, Rockhampton Qld. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 52nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Smithfield Farm, South Isis, Childers, Qld., 1893 |
| Home Town: | Mackay, Mackay, Queensland |
| Schooling: | South Isis State School |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Lagnicourt, France, 31 March 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Childers Memorial Hall (Isis District Pictorial War Memorial), Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2260, 52nd Infantry Battalion, Rockhampton Qld. | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 2260, 52nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Boorara, Brisbane | |
| 16 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 2260, 52nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Boorara embarkation_ship_number: A42 public_note: '' |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Robert SMITH and Catherine JAMES
James Smith was born at Smithfield Farm, South Isis, (Childers) in 1893. At the time of his enlistment he gave his mother as his next of kin and her address was Isis Junction, North Coast Line, Qld.
James enlisted in Rockhampton on 13th March 1916. He was 23 years and 1 month of age and stated his occupation as labourer. He was 5' 9" (175.2 cms) tall and weighed 10 stone 5lbs. (65.78kg) and was of a brown complexion with light brown eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as being Church of England.
After completing his initial military training he was at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera, on 6th July 1916 when he was appointed to the 4th Reinforcements for the 52nd Battalion. He embarked on HMAT A42 "Boorara" from Brisbane on 16th August 1916, disembarking at Plymouth on 13th October 1916. He went to the No. 3 Com Depot on 14th October and transferred to the 13th Training Battalion at Codford on 17th November 1916.
He proceeded across to France via Folkestone on 8th January 1917 and went to the 4th Division Base Depot at Etaples on the same day. From there he proceeded to his Battalion on 12th January 1917 and was taken on strength 13th January 1917.
Next he was detached to 1st Anzac School for a Lewis Gun course on 24th February 1917. He joined his Battalion in the field on 12th March 1917. On 21st March he was 'Congratulated by his Divisional Commander on having obtained very satisfactory reports at 12th Course 1st Anzac School'.
James Smith was killed in action by artillery fire on 31st March 1917. This date places him in the push towards the Hindenburg Line in the Somme area, France. He was 24 years old and has no known grave.
He is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. In the Australian War Memorial Canberra he is commemorated on Panel 156. Locally he is commemorated on the Childers Honour board and in the Childers Soldiers' Memorial Hall.
Courtesy of Warren Martin
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